In her first-ever pageant Sharifa Maloney wowed the judges and took the crown of Miss University of the Virgin Islands. In her second pageant Maloney became a semifinalist in the Hall of Fame Black College Queens Competition. Miss UVI Sharifa Maloney was a semifinalist in the pageant held on Sept. 29 in Atlanta. Competing against 34 other queens from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation, Maloney made it to the top ten.

Photos from the Hall of Fame Black College Queens Competition

"It was exhilarating," Maloney said of the entire experience. Maloney's name was the first to be called when the semifinalists were announced. "All I could do was look to the heavens and say thank God I made it this far," she said. The Miss UVI Ambassadorial Pageant prepared her for the larger contest. "The Miss UVI competition has really high standards," she said.

Along with competing, the queens participated in a myriad of activities including a community service project, Queen's Tea at the state's capital, a Student Leaders Conference and the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Maloney said the most memorable was the community service project where the contestants spoke to students at the Coretta Scott King Women's Leadership Academy. Maloney said she also enjoyed meeting with like-minded students who share the same sentiments about improving their institutions.

One of the projects Maloney is working on as part of her reign is developing a handbook for future Miss UVI's. The handbook will include tips for helping the future queens prepare for off-island pageants and official events. It will also include information about Maloney's experiences as queen.

Along with being Miss UVI, Maloney is also president of the St. Thomas campus chapter of Rotaract, a member of the St. Thomas campus Student Government Grievance Committee and a choir member. The sophomore business administration major said she is grateful for the opportunities she has received at UVI.

"All these doors and opportunities that UVI opens for you are really priceless," Maloney said. "Now I don't limit myself because I've proven what I can do with the potential locked up in me."